Making IT Happen Award Honors Local Computer Specialist

For Immediate Release:

MONTCLAIR (January 20, 2015) – The International Society for Technology Education (ISTE) is the premier nonprofit organization serving educators and education leaders committed to empowering connected learners in a connected world. Each year ISTE affiliate organizations select one educator who demonstrates extraordinary commitment, leadership, courage and persistence in improving digital learning opportunities for students to receive the The Making IT Happen Award. This year, The Children’s Institute is proud to announce that the New Jersey Educational Computing Cooperative (NJECC) nominated our very own Randall Palmer to receive the award. Mr. Palmer joined TCI’s staff in 2006 as a Computer Specialist. His commitment, creativity, passion and patience have led to outstanding outcomes for students and staff alike. As Mr. Palmer succinctly puts it, his job is to “Make [the students] successful”. Our teachers and staff share in this goal, but Mr. Palmer brings a unique set of skills to the institution.

Mr. Palmer’s open approach to technology has led him to be recognized as an expert in adapting technology for special needs children. He can quickly gain a workable understanding of a new application and then begin to think creatively about the many ways it can be used to help our students learn better, our staff teach better and our administration as a whole communicate more efficiently. He is an extreme professional dedicated to helping students access technology for learning, helping teachers learn how to best implement technology in their rooms and providing all staff and administrators with an understanding of how technology can be used to best serve the school’s needs.

For Mr. Palmer, there is no task too big or too small. He eagerly accepted the challenge of designing the school webpage and, when he’s not busy teaching, happily assists with minor technical troubleshooting issues throughout the day. He anticipates the needs of students and staff alike and provides appropriate and accessible training that fosters a growing understanding of technology across the board. In the school’s recent transition to Google apps, Randy lead the charge providing extensive workshops to help staff navigate the basic features of the new system as well as learn how to adapt them to meet the needs of our students.

At TCI, students, staff and administrators benefit from his expertise each day. It is an honor well deserved.

For more information, please contact Diane Berry, Director of Development at TCI at 973.509.3050 ext.237 or dberry@tcischool.org.

About The Children’s Institute & The Center for Independence

The Children’s Institute, NJ State Board of Education approved private 501 (c)3 non-profit schools, offers preschool, elementary and middle school programs in Verona as well as a high school and adult program, The Center for Independence, in Livingston. The Center for Independence is a Department of Developmental Disabilities and a Division of Vocation Rehabilitation approved program for adults over the age of 21. TCI provides comprehensive educational, vocational, and therapeutic programs for students and adults on the autistic spectrum and with related disabilities.

To learn more about the programs and services offered at The Children’s Institute, please visit www.tcischool.org.

About the Making IT Happen Award

The Making IT Happen award honors outstanding educators and leaders who demonstrate extraordinary commitment, leadership, courage and persistence in improving digital learning opportunities for students. Since its inception in 1995 more than 500 educators from around the world have received the award. The spirit of the Making IT Happen award supports a vision of a world in which all learners thrive, achieve and contribute.

Bruce Ettinger, Ed.D.

Executive Director/Superintendent

One Sunset Avenue

Verona, NJ 07044

Telephone: 973.509.3050 x230

Fax: 973.509.3060

Website: www.tcischool.org